With an estimated 449 men living with dementia within County Westmeath, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association has launched a new manual ‘Your Shed & Dementia’, aimed at raising awareness of the condition, as well as offering advice for ‘Shedders’, their families and carers on supporting a member with dementia.
Developed in partnership with the HSE’s Dementia: Understand Together campaign and The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, the manual offers tools to help Shedders recognise signs of dementia, as well as offering practical communication and listening tips.
There are over 400 types of dementia, with the four most common being Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body disease, vascular dementia and frontotemporal dementia. It is also common for people to have more than one type of dementia.
Common early signs of dementia include increasing confusion, reduced concentration, memory loss, difficulty communicating, personality or behaviour changes, apathy and withdrawal or depression, and the loss of ability to do everyday tasks.
For Fiona Foley, National Co-ordinator, Dementia Understand Together campaign, Men’s Sheds offer a fantastic way to stay connected.
“Maintaining our independence is so important and many people with dementia continue to do lots of things they enjoy for some time. Men’s Sheds in communities all over the country offer wonderful access to friendships, support and routine.
“We know that for people with dementia, staying connected and engaging in meaningful activity is hugely beneficial in enhancing their quality of life and developing a sense of self-worth.
“It can also potentially slow down the progression of dementia. This publication has lots of practical ideas on supporting people with early-stage dementia, from communication tips to listening hints. It also has helpful pointers for men who are carers. It’s all about encouraging conversations and improving knowledge of dementia,” Fiona stated.
Six Simple Actions
The Dementia: Understand Together campaign is a public support, awareness and information campaign led by the HSE. It aims to inspire people from all sections of society to stand together with the 500,000 Irish people whose families have been affected by dementia, by taking six simple actions, which are to:
See the person, not the dementia
Talk about dementia
Ask how you can help
Stay in touch
Support the person to keep up hobbies and interests
Make sure your service/space is easy to use
